Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have suffered a major blow ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, with Nathan Ellis ruled out of the competition.
The 31-year-old Australian fast bowler has suffered a hamstring injury and will not recover in time.
“It’s a big blow for us. Ellis is a crucial player, especially in the death overs. We are looking for replacements,” CSK CEO KS Viswanthan told sports star Thursday during an event to announce Kauvery Hospitals as an official partner of the team.
The loss of Ellis could force a major rethink of plans for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team.
READ | Five possible foreign players to replace CSK after Nathan Ellis’ injury
Since 2022, the team had relied on Matheesha Pathirana as a kill specialist but released the Sri Lankan pacer after a disappointing campaign last year.
CSK CEO KS Viswanthan (second from right) during an event to announce Kauvery Hospitals as the team’s official partner. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
CSK CEO KS Viswanthan (second from right) during an event to announce Kauvery Hospitals as the team’s official partner. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Meanwhile, Viswanathan also said that foreign recruits will join the camp in the coming days. It said the recent West Asia crisis, which has hit major airline hubs in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, has not significantly affected the travel plans of its overseas recruits.
Noor Ahmad has already arrived, while Jamie Overton is expected to arrive in Chennai tonight.
READ ALSO | “Like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Samson cannot be replaced,” says Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag.
The likes of Dewald Brevis, Matt Henry, Zack Foulkes, and Matthew Short will join on March 22, while Akeal Hosein will join on the 25th.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson, the star of India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign, arrived in the city on Thursday to join the pre-season camp.
The five-time champion made one of the biggest trade deals in the IPL last year when he swapped Samson from Rajasthan Royals for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.
The Super Kings, including their star player MS Dhoni, have been training in the city since March 1, initially at their High Performance Center and currently at the MAC Stadium. They could also have an intrasquad game on March 23.
Posted on March 19, 2026
